Citrus fruits such as oranges have long been known as a high flavonoids-content diet. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that can protect our body against a wide range of diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Although the citrus fruit itself has flavonoids content, but the highest concentration of flavonoids was found in the pith of the orange (the white part between the fruit and the peel) - which means you should eat the fruit with the white pith to get the maximum flavonoid effects.
One of the most powerful substances in the flavonoids are naringenin, which is found in all citrus fruits and tomatoes. Research has shown that the naringenin in citrus fruits can inhibit tumor growth by repairing damaged DNA.
A study conducted on mice found that the naringenin can also help in burning excess fat by stimulating liver metabolism. In fact, the weight of obese mice decreased when fed with naringenin. In addition to that, naringenin also increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and decrease levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in animal studies.
There are many positive health benefits contained in the orange pith, so do not peel off the white part of the orange whenever you want to eat it.